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When a team scores 12 runs in a baseball game, most would bet they were the team to win the game. That wasn't the case when Unioto faced Cadiz in the Division III regional semifinal game in 1994.

The Shermans came away with a 22-12 victory to advance to the final game against Liberty Union.

"I've never been through a spell like this where our defense has been bad and our pitching has been bad and we still win ballgames," said coach Don Neff in a May 28, 1994 Gazette article. "In baseball you see different things than any other sport. Don't ask me to summarize it."

Unioto starting pitcher Rob Ferguson was rocked for seven runs in the bottom of the first inning. Reliever Brad Miller allowed one before the inning was over.

Still Neff had gathered his team outside the dugout and told them the defense would come if they started hitting the ball.

And they did.

Unioto scored 11 runs in the second inning and 10 more in the third.

Cadiz managed only four more runs the entire game.

The biggest blow of the game was a three-run triple to right center field by Ferguson. That made the score 8-7 Cadiz in the second inning and ended a slump by Ferguson.

"I went back to the old bat and old style of hitting," said Ferguson, who finished with three hits and three RBI. "I used (Jeremy) Tuttle's bat again."

Chris Bruce, left, Sam Young, center, and Jeremy Tuttle converge on a fly ball in a game against Cadiz. Unioto defeated Cadiz 22-12 in the Division III regional semifinal in 1994.(Photo: File photo)

Ferguson faced only nine batters in the game and recording two outs while allowing five hits and two walks.

"I just couldn't throw," he said. "I was grooving for them."

Miller came on in relief and worked 3 2/3 innings. Sam Young got two outs before Matt Cox closed the game with the day's best pitching performance. His line: two innings, seven batters, no hits, no runs, two strikeouts and a walk.